Cowboy Christmas in Canada

On this the most American of U.S. holiday weekends a growing number of pro rodeo contestants are spending their traditional “Cowboy Christmas” in Canada. It doesn’t hurt that there is a $100,000 pot of gold up for grabs in each of six events that comprise the Calgary Stampede’s championship round.

Gillette saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson is quite fond of competing in Canada. He took home a truckload of Canadian dollars last year. Well, that’s not entirely true. Johnson made so much money up north he opened a bank account there. Chet is in the first pool of bronc riders out in Calgary starting Friday. Kelly Timberman from Mills, and the 2004 world bareback champ, is in the first pool of men in his event.

The Calgary Stampede is by invitation only for contestants and two Wyoming bull riders are very happy to have received the call up to Canada. Bobby Welsh of Gillette and Kanin Asay from Powell are in the same pool of bull riders who will strive for their best outings of the year beginning July 7.

Asay had the chance to join the Calgary pool that opens July 3 but opted to stay in the states to compete in his hometown rodeo – The Cody Stampede. The only Wyoming edition of Xtreme Bulls is July 5th so that provides Asay a good opportunity to shine twice in front of his longtime fans and his family. Rodeo fans traveling to Cody this weekend will also see Meeteetse product Dusty Tuckness handling bull fighting chores. Dusty was proud host, along with his close friend Kanin, of a special bullfighting and bull riding event in Cody, June 14. Here’s a minute of the action as edited by our own Mike McCrimmon who saw his camera gain the affection of more than one horned critter:

Seth Glause of Rock Springs is going to be on top of bulls going for the Cody crown in both the Stampede on the Fourth of July and the Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls the next day. That event will be taped by our friends from Winnercomm Sports, edited, and aired nationally on ESPN2 at 12:00pm mountain time, July 19. The Cody event will feature five bull riders who own world champion buckles. It is the first Xtreme Bulls ever to have that many champs in one setting. You can still grab a ticket at: www.codystampederodeo.com or by calling 1-800-207-0744. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission.

Long Rider with a Cause

Ross Welfl was a bull rider when he was a young man. The Cody, Wyoming native is older but may not feel wiser some of the days he’s riding horseback along the roads from Cody to New Mexico this summer. He’ll be doing a lot of nights alone under the stars and spend a few with family and friends. We met him yesterday along Wyoming Highway 20-26 between Shoshoni and Casper. Welfl went on a ride for charity once before, back in the early 1980s, but not near as far as he’s going this time to raise money for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Ross Welfl is calling his trek “Coins for Cancer” and you can donate by sending money to: Bank of the West, 1330 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414 The tax ID number is: 62-0646012 You can also give online and follow Ross’ progress by going to: www.coinsforcancer.blogspot.com

Roping Light

Last night there was a delightful lightning show low in the sky over east Cheyenne. I woke up about 12:50 this morning and could not turn away from the silent popping of branch-like patterns that bristled alternately sometimes providing the brightness level of a Wyoming full moon. Massive cloud formations were outlined in front of some of the electrical charges. Shapes gave way to imaginative interpretation of form. Was that one a moody Abe Lincoln? Another quiet zap. That sure looked like a mama grizzly digging for grubs.

I heard a couple of big rigs pull off College Drive. No doubt the drivers had video or cell phone cameras at the ready. These are times I wish I could shoot pictures properly and had the equipment to at least make an attempt. Alas, I am just a writer and a talker. Shooting is the forte of my colleague Mike. By this time, maybe 1:20 in the AM, I recall the existence of an ancient video camera stuffed underneath a Thomas Molesworth chair situated in my cramped study. At the time of the chair’s purchase on a screened front porch along 18th Street, I was told by an unassuming older gentleman seller he remembered as a boy seeing painted ladies doing business in the old Plains Hotel lobby occupying said furnishings. But that’s a story that will have to wait its turn.

I gather the camera and its electrical connection and head outdoors to capture the lightning before it fades. Herein is the result. Nothing like Mike could have brought to you but he did edit the video and add music to it for a nice thirty seconds or so of unique ogling. And you might justifiably wonder: what has this to do with a cowboy story? Nothing really, except one of those silent bolts shined the black plastic head of my roping dummy in the backyard and I thought to myself, man, I sure suck at roping.

The sky popped awhile longer and I was given to consider again what has often made me feel blessed to reside under these Wyoming skies. While I am sure many other eyes caught the lightning action, it seemed nature and her beautifully mystical weather disturbance was offering this hour-long broadcast at no cost, to no one but me.

Irish Jacked About Wyoming

“Irish Jack” Enright and his wife started visiting Wyoming more than a decade ago from London to spend time on a ranch near Laramie. The couple fell in love with the Two Bar Seven almost immediately and came back every year – some times twice a year:

‘That got to be pretty expensive,” said Enright. Along the way, Enright took an interest in cutting – another expensive proposition. “You don’t have to be rich to get involved in the sport but it sure helps. Unfortunately, we’re not rich,” said Enright. Cutting involves the horseback act of singling out a cow from a herd and isolating it from the rest. Enright’s proven a natural at the sport and competed in the World Finals last month in Amarillo. “We did our best and had a great time,” he said. The native of County Kerry, Ireland has resided in Cheyenne the past four years and is now serving as president of the Wyoming Cutting Horse Association. The lifelong horseman can’t explain what captivated him about cutting. “It’s very difficult to describe. I’ve jumped horses, ridden cross-country, the whole deal. But this just gets in your blood. I think it is more addictive than drugs,” he laughed:

Enright’s rural Ireland upbringing in the 1960s included much cleaning of “cow sheds” and very little television. “There was only programming for a few hours in the evening and my favorite show was ‘The Virginian.’ That was a big treat,” Enright said. The weekly western was set in Wyoming but coming to the “Cowboy State” never really appeared a possibility. “We were living in London and out of the blue one day my wife said maybe we should go over to America and visit a ranch,” Enright recalled. He explained his childhood memory of a television western and Wyoming was their choice:

Enright is employed by the Jeffrey C. Wardell Academy in Cheyenne where he works with troubled youth. “We’re like natives now, living our dream, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said. Enright was asked to join the Mounted Marshall unit at Cheyenne Frontier Days a few years ago and that parade duty involves crowd control along with a number of other jobs. The annual ten-day western celebration also brings a significant contingent of Irish people to Cheyenne. “Our house is an extension of Frontier Park during that time. We had seventeen people visiting last year,” Enright notes. “Some had to stay outside in tents.” The gift of gab and a kiss of the Blarney Stone brought about a 2009 fund-raising project for the cutting horse association that would be hard to match. Calling on friends and family, Enright has arranged a seven-day trip to Ireland for two that includes airfare, car rental, accommodations and numerous activities. The dream list covers a couple of rounds at the famed Ballybunion Golf Club, a dolphin viewing tour, castle visits, a trip round the Ring of Kerry and a lot more. “We’ll take care of all the arrangements and there will be someone there to call if any needs come up during the trip,” Enright assured.

He hopes to have the raffle drawing in June to allow time for the trip before fall. Tickets are $25 apiece; five for $100. “Obviously times are tough so we don’t want to price anybody out of a chance at this,” Enright said. For more details contact “Irish Jack” by calling: 307. 514.2181. Information concerning the fund raising project is to be posted soon on the association website:

http://www.wyomingcha.com/ ---

Calling on Cowboys & Girls

A few years ago I watched a close friend and colleague become trapped in his failing body that finally stopped his heart at the age of 56. We mourned his loss to ALS and wondered why such a good heart lost its beat. Because of his obviously swift decline we knew Dave’s days were numbered on this life plain. His wife was anxious to have me wheel her husband around Frontier Park for a day at the rodeo – Cheyenne Frontier Days – realizing there would not be another opportunity. We rolled into the “ready” area where the rough stock riders hang out. Dave had met bareback riders Kelly Timberman and Scott Montague previously but those young men had not seen him for awhile. He could not really speak. Kelly and Scott’s eyes glistened as they signed Dave’s straw hat. They stayed with us for a trek up to the press deck and posed for pictures with Dave. I went over to the corner and turned to the wall, gulped back a burst of grief, and returned to take Dave to the car.

We drove a short distance to the backyard of our boss, Diane Shober. She was hosting her annual party and Dave was the guest of honor. Earlier in the week she’d asked me if I knew any musicians who might play for the event. Since the gravity of the situation was inescapable I knew of only one person who could handle it with the necessary grace, and talent. Brenn Hill lives in Utah so it’s not like he had to drive from the other side of town. He packed his wife and kids in the car and hauled across Wyoming to sing and play for Dave. There were many tears when we dedicated Brenn’s song “Call You Cowboy” to Dave. A short while later I walked over to Dave, knelt down, looked in his eyes and said “Hey there Cowboy.” From somewhere deep within Dave ushered a discernable “Thank you Chuck.” Dave’s arm is around the back of my head in the picture that leads this column. He passed away a month after that party.

Some years have passed but Dave Troyanek’s friendship and Brenn Hill’s act of kindness won’t ever be forgotten. He did not charge for performing for Dave. He announced to the folks gathered there that “any friend of Chuck Coon’s is a friend of mine.” Yesterday Brenn’s manager called from Nashville and gave me some really sad news I want to share in hopes a few of you might be willing – if able – to help the Hill family. Brenn’s son Briggs was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer last November 11th. A massive brain tumor was removed the next day. He spent more than a month in the hospital and is now home facing numerous treatments and challenges.

If life had given me the privilege of children I’d be more than proud to call Brenn Hill my son. He is a shining example of the Cowboy Creed. He believes God will help his family in this their time of greatest need. It is my hope you might be able to extend your kindness to this wonderfully Western family. My guess is if you are reading this you already know of Brenn’s music. He speaks from his heart. He boldly and publicly touts the heritage of American (and Canadian) agriculture. The three R’s – rodeo, ranching and roundups – are at the forefront of almost all Brenn’s songs. His wife would really like him to consider crooning a love ballad now and then. It is time for us to offer sustenance to this family in need. The amount of your donation doesn’t matter. The thoughts and prayers do. You can click here to find Brenn and help Briggs: www.myspace.com/brennhill and www.teambriggs.org

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Wrap Up

Willy

There are a few items of interest we’d like to share in wrapping up our coverage of rodeo’s Superbowl. The Canadian horse Willy carried one steer wrestler, Californian Luke Branquinho, to a world championship at the 50th national finals rodeo. He was also rode by owner Curtis Cassidy and Lance Creek, Wyoming’s Jason Miller – who ended up winning more than $70,000 on Willy in Las Vegas. Here is our look at Willy with Jason Miller outside of the Thomas & Mack Center where Willy is well known, and left alone:



Willy earned more than $45,000 from Miller and Branquinho as they agreed to pay owner Curtis Cassidy a quarter of whatever money they made at the national finals.

Fifty Years of Fame

Since it was a big anniversary for professional rodeo it is fitting to take one last look back. Renowned cowboy singer and poet Red Steagall spoke with us for this next piece after Red’s performance in the arena. He is joined by three-time world champion bronc rider Hawkeye Henson and a Laramie man – Dick Laycock – who we met while walking the halls. One look at Dick made it easy to ask him to provide a Wyoming viewpoint of the national finals. Must have been that distinctive logo on his cap.



War Machine

Lastly, our talented video program manager Mike McCrimmon delved into the national finals day tapes to find all the best action and combined it with music from the new AC/DC – CD “Black Ice.” We used the song War Machine and I think you’ll agree it suits well with what these athletes are put through over ten grueling days.



Our thanks to Winnercomm Productions for their help at the national finals and for allowing us to tap into their taping of the event. All footage of the rodeo and arena entertainment was provided courtesy of ESPN (via Winnercomm) and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association. Hope you’ll come back and see us next year. Until then, Powder River – Let ‘er Buck.